Take Library StoryWalk on the Sunset Park Path

As published in the Red Rock News

Sedona Public Library has posted a new StoryWalk at Sunset Park! StoryWalk is a fun, safe, and educational activity that all ages can enjoy. Each page of a book is displayed along a paved, half-mile long accessible path in Sunset Park. The journey begins at the toddler playground, and passes over two bridges, providing 15 minutes of walking and reading in the great outdoors. Each panel includes a fun activity, prompt, or literacy tips in English and Spanish! Our newest StoryWalk book is “Little Elliot, Big City,” written and illustrated by Mike Curato and published by Henry Holt & Company. 
 
Our first visitor was one of our favorite young patrons, Elliot! He got a kick reading a story with his name in it, and he loved the interactive prompts like stomping to the next numbered page, listening for sounds that are different from city sounds, and talking about friendship. 
 
Elliot and his family are loyal library patrons who also enjoy many library services. They are currently homeschooling, and Elliot’s mother uses the Yavapai Library Network app to locate and hold books for her homeschool curriculum. She also uses the curbside pickup option 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday through Friday. She says her favorite thing about the Yavapai Library Network app is “how I can keep track of all the books that I have checked out, including the ability to renew books. My library card is also saved on the app, so I never have to look for my library card!” Elliot’s mom also uses our online catalog, where she can search by reading level and select level-appropriate books for her son so he can practice reading all by himself! 
 
You can even bring StoryWalk to your own backyard or classroom! Children and adults can read the story and enjoy the activities and literacy tips on each poster at home, at school, or any location. Sedona Public Library exhibits four different books each year at Sunset Park. When a story is replaced, the previous books become a part of our collection and are available for families or teachers to check out and host their own StoryWalk. ​Each StoryWalk includes a large plastic tote, individually laminated pages, and clips to hang the pages. Check out the “StoryWalk” tab on the Youth Services page of sedonalibrary.org to learn more about StoryWalk kits.
 
After you visit Sunset Park and read “Little Elliot, Big City,” you can stop by the Library to read the rest of the Little Elliot books in our collection: “Little Elliot, Big Family,” “Little Elliot, Big Fun,” and “Little Elliot, Fall Friends.” 
 
Funding for this project was provided by the Arizona Community Foundation, Goldenstein Gallery, City of Sedona Parks and Recreation, and the Langston Family Foundation
 
Sedona Public Library is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization. Please support your library by making a gift at sedonalibrary.org/donate, or mail your donation to Sedona Public Library, 3250 White Bear Road, Sedona AZ 86336. Thank you!
 
StoryWalk® is a trademarked concept created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont, and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library.

Sedona Public Library
Column for February 26, 2021
Written by Viviane Kraus, Youth Services Librarian

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